Automatic chest compression systems that incorporate biological feedback

ABSTRACT

Automated CPR systems incorporating biological feedback can include an automated compression piston system, a data acquisition system, computer systems for running various control algorithms, ventilation control systems, and/or drug delivery systems. Automated CPR systems can be used as stand-alone systems for treating patients in cardiac arrest, or they can be used to administer pretreatment to a patient prior to defibrillation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/918,556 filed on Dec. 19, 2013, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to automated cardiopulmonaryresuscitation (CPR) systems and methods incorporating biologicalfeedback for treatment of patients in cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND

Cardiac arrest is the leading cause of mortality in the United States.The conventional treatment for cardiac arrest includes cardiopulmonaryresuscitation (CPR), which involves chest compression and rescuebreathing. These actions both aim to keep oxygenated blood circulatingthroughout the body and preserve the vital organs. Although beneficial,CPR is minimally effective at achieving survival. For example, survivalof out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to CPR has been reported to beonly about 7%. There is vast potential to improve the rate of survivalin this field.

SUMMARY

Chest compressions that are given during CPR are normally performedmanually, but automatic compression devices can provide consistent,effective compressions and do not fatigue. Some automatic chestcompression devices for treating cardiac arrest only provide one rate ofcompression at one depth. However, automatic chest compression devicesfor treatment of cardiac arrest that can adjust the compression rateand/or compression depth in response to physiological feedback on theeffectiveness of CPR can provide more effective CPR and thus superiorsurvival rates to patients. Patients vary widely in their pertinentphysical characteristics, such as chest diameter and compliance, andtheir physiological response to CPR interventions. The automatedcompression devices and systems described herein can tailor compressiondepth, rate (and/or other performance parameters) to patientcharacteristics and responses. Disclosed automated CPR systems can alsomonitor physiological variables, and particularly cardiopulmonary and/orneurological variables such as blood pressure, blood flow (e.g.,measured by Doppler blood flow detection), tissue oxygenation (e.g.,cerebral tissue oxygenation), signals from an electrocardiogram orelectroencephalogram, coronary perfusion pressure, and signals fromultrasound or related technology (such as echocardiography), to analyzethe effectiveness of a certain chest compression depth and/orcompression rate and then subsequently change depth, duty cycle, and/orrate until it produces an optimal or desired physiological response.

For treatment of cardiac arrest, desired outcomes can include return ofspontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival to hospital discharge (SHD),survival to hospital admission (SHA), survival with good neurologicalfunction (SGNF), and successful defibrillation (SD). The systems,devices, and methods described herein can increase the chances of thesedesired outcomes in a patient suffering cardiac arrest.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of thedisclosed technology will become more apparent from the followingdetailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanyingfigures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a closed loop method for theperformance of automated CPR incorporating biological feedback.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an automated CPR system and methodincorporating biological feedback, illustrating in part that a controlsystem can consolidate physiological signals from a patient and sendcommands to a motor that moves a linear actuator to generatecompressions on the patient.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an automated CPR system thatincorporates biological feedback.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary piston for use in theperformance of automated CPR incorporating biological feedback.

FIG. 5 shows the piston of FIG. 4, positioned over the chest of apatient.

FIG. 6 is a chart plotting compression rate (in compressions per minute)and compression depth (in inches) of an automated CPR system, togetherwith resulting central arterial pressures (in mmHg), illustrating inpart that higher pressures result when rate and depth are increased.

FIG. 7 is a chart plotting the central arterial pressure data of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a chart plotting compression rate (in compressions per minute)and patient oxygen saturation (in percentage) versus time for anexemplary CPR method, illustrating in part that compression rate can beincreased in intervals until a desired oxygenation threshold isachieved.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method wherein compression depth is increased inintervals over time until a first physiological threshold is met, andthen compression rate can be increased in intervals over time until asecond physiological threshold is met.

FIG. 10 corresponds to the method of FIG. 9, and illustrates an examplewhere the first physiological threshold is related to central arterialpressure and the second physiological threshold is related to aquantitative ECG measurement.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method wherein two different chest compressionparameters (rate and depth) are adjusted over time (see lower graph)until one of two biosignals thresholds (one threshold for aorticpressure and one threshold for median slope of ventricular fibrillationwaveform) are met (as shown in upper graph).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is concerned with systems, devices, and methodsfor performing automated CPR incorporating biological feedback, such asfor treating patients in cardiac arrest, complete cardiac arrest, orother forms of cardiac arrest. The term “complete cardiac arrest” asused herein means the absence of organized myocardial wall motion thatcirculates blood from the heart into systemic circulation. In certainembodiments, “complete cardiac arrest” includes the absence of residualmyocardial mechanical function. Some CPR techniques include manual andmechanical CPR performed according to static performance parameters(e.g., rate=100 compressions per minute, depth=2 inches). Thesetechniques may or may not account for patient-to-patient anatomic orphysiologic variability, and may or may not account for changing patientphysiology throughout the course of the cardiac arrest, e.g., throughthe electrical, circulatory, and metabolic stages of cardiac arrest.Systems, devices, and methods described herein can allow for theanalysis of physiologic signals from a patient as CPR is being performedand/or can allow for the variation of CPR performance parameters (e.g.,compression rate, compression depth, compression force, compression dutycycle, etc.) in order to stabilize, maximize or at least improve theeffectiveness of CPR. In general, a system for performing automated CPRincorporating biological feedback can include an automated compressionpiston system, a data acquisition system, and a computer/control systemfor receiving input signals indicative of physiologic data from the dataacquisition system, analyzing the data using one or more algorithms, andoutputting command signals for controlling the automated compressionpiston system.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate exemplary systems and methods. FIG. 1 illustratesan exemplary method 100 of performing automated CPR incorporatingbiological feedback. The method 100 comprises a closed loop of foursteps, illustrating the incorporation of biological feedback into themethod. Method 100 includes the performance of CPR (e.g., by anautomated compression piston system, as described in more detail below)at 102. The performance of CPR at 102 causes changes in the patient'sphysiology (e.g., increased central arterial blood pressure, etc., asdescribed in more detail below) at 104. The changes in the patient'sphysiology at 104 are measured (e.g., using a data acquisition system,as described in more detail below) and fed into an adaptive CPR program(e.g., a custom Matlab program, as described in more detail below) at106, which analyzes the physiologic data and outputs commands to a highspeed linear actuator at 108, which controls the characteristics of theCPR performed at 102, thus completing the closed loop method ofperforming automated CPR incorporating biological feedback.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary system 200 for performing automated CPRincorporating biological feedback. The system 200 includes a sensor 202for measuring a patient's central arterial blood pressure, which outputsa central arterial pressure (“CAP”) signal 203, and a sensor 204 formeasuring a patient's end-tidal CO₂, which outputs an end-tidal CO₂(ETCO₂) signal 205. Additional sensors (including sensors measuring anyof the parameters described herein) can be included in the system 200.The signals 203 and 205 are received by a data acquisition device 206,such as a PowerLab device manufactured by AD Instruments or analternative acquisition device manufactured by Labjack Corporation,which collects the signals and transmits them to a software program 208,such as a custom Matlab program, running on a suitable computing devicefor analysis. The software program 208, or other software, can receivethe signals from the data acquisition device 206, can perform any one ormore of various analyses or algorithms, and/or can output commandsignals to a motor 210 (such as a motor manufactured by Moog, Inc. underthe brand name “Smartmotor”) controlling a linear actuator 214, whichcan in turn control the motion of a compression piston for performingchest compressions. The motor 210 can be capable of measuring the numberof rotations it has completed and can be capable of transmitting suchinformation back to the software program 208. The system can alsoinclude a potentiometer 212 which can provide a voltage reading to thesoftware program 208 indicating the position of the linear actuator 214.Through use of a reference voltage reading from the potentiometer 212indicating a reference position (e.g., a “home” position), the voltagesignal from the potentiometer 212 can indicate to the software program208 the position of the linear actuator 214.

FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary system 300 for performing automatedchest compressions incorporating biological feedback. The system 300includes five sensors 302, each measuring a physiologic parameter of apatient 304. The “biosignals” collected by these sensors are transmittedto a data acquisition unit 306, which can collect the data, digitize thesignals, and transmit them on to a CPR control algorithm implemented ona computing device 308 (e.g., including a software program such as acustom Matlab program). Based on the results of the control algorithmbased on the collected biosignals, the computing device 308 can transmitchest compression parameters to an automated compression piston system310 which can perform automated chest compressions on the patient 304,at rest on a flat surface 312.

In some embodiments, the automated CPR systems described herein are usedto treat patients without any organized or residual cardiac electricalactivity. In some embodiments, the systems described herein do notdetect a residual myocardial wall contraction of the patient. In someembodiments, the systems described herein do not synchronize action of acompression piston with intrinsic contractions of the myocardial wallthat may occur during pulseless electrical activity (PEA) or pseudo-PEA(e.g., they do not time the piston's action to compress the patient'schest during a residual myocardial contraction). Systems and methodsdescribed herein can be used to treat a patient in asystole, having nodetectable coordinated cardiac electrical activity resulting in cardiacoutput, ventricular depolarization, cardiac output, and/or myocardialcontractions.

Systems, devices, and methods described herein can improve theeffectiveness of CPR and thus increase chances of return of spontaneouscirculation (ROSC), survival to hospital discharge (SHD), survival tohospital admission (SHA), survival with good neurological function(SGNF), successful defibrillation (SD), and/or other desirable outcomes.Over relatively short time periods, they can aid in the rapid deliveryof improved perfusion of blood to vital organs including the heart, thusleading to improved chances of ROSC, e.g., upon defibrillation. Overrelatively longer time periods, they can aid in the provision ofimproved perfusion of blood to the brain, thus leading to improvedchances of SHD, e.g., by reducing the impact of global ischemia on thebrain during cardiac arrest.

ROSC and SHD are typically desired outcomes for a patient in cardiacarrest. CPR can increase the chances of these outcomes, and otherdesired outcomes, and its effectiveness in doing so can depend on thecharacteristics of the blood flow it generates. The characteristics ofthe blood flow generated by CPR are in some cases correlated withvarious observable and measurable physiological traits, as describedherein. Thus, by measuring such physiological traits and varying CPRperformance parameters to improve the traits, chances of ROSC and SHD,and/or other desirable outcomes, can be improved. Systems, devices, andmethods described herein can do so more accurately, more consistently,and/or with greater endurance than a person.

Automated Compression Piston System

In automated CPR systems described herein, an automated compressionpiston system can perform the physical action of chest compression,cyclically depressing the patient's sternum to a programmed depth andthen retracting at a predetermined cyclic rate. The action of the pistoncan be periodic and can have a frequency determined by a CPR guidancealgorithm. In one specific embodiment, the compression piston is anelectric-powered, optically encoded linear actuator driven by abrushless DC motor with a dedicated 48V power supply. One exemplarycompression piston system 400 is illustrated in FIG. 4 and includes anarm 402 for reaching over a patient's body, an electrical system 404 forproviding power and receiving commands, and a compression plate 406 forimparting forces to a patient's body. FIG. 5 shows the system 400positioned over and situated to perform CPR on a patient 408.

The function of such a compression piston can also be performed by apneumatic compression piston, a hydraulic compression piston, a pistonpowered by an electrical power source, piston powered by internalcombustion, and/or a chest compression strap powered by any such means,such as is used in the AutoPulse resuscitation device manufactured byZoll Medical Corporation. In some cases, the function of this componentcan be performed by a person, such as in cases where the output of thealgorithm can instruct the person of the particular CPR parameters ofinterest. An automated piston system can be advantageous, however, byproviding increased accuracy, consistency, and longevity of CPRapplication.

The compression plate 406 of the compression piston system 400 can bepositioned to be above the patient's heart and/or above the patient'ssternum, or can be positioned to be above any suitable part of thepatient's anatomy. A compression piston can be provided with a pluralityof compression plates 406, each having different diameters or sizes, andthe specific compression plate used can be selected, e.g., by aphysician, based on the patient's anatomy and/or condition (e.g., therecan be various sizes for adults and various sizes for children, infants,and neonates).

An automated compression piston system can be configured to becontrolled in various ways. A control algorithm can provide variousparameterizations of the desired performance of the piston system. Forexample, a control algorithm can call for the compression piston tooperate cyclically at a desired rate (e.g., compressions per minute) anddepth. Another control algorithm can call for the compression piston tooperate cyclically at a desired rate and force (which can allow forconsistent forces to be imparted on patients having different cheststiffnesses). Other control algorithms can control the velocity withwhich the piston moves up (“up-speed”) and/or the velocity with whichthe piston moves down (“down-speed”). In one specific example, a controlalgorithm can call for a specific ratio of up-speed to down-speed to bemaintained.

Other control algorithms can control the accelerations of the piston,which can be non-uniform. Other control algorithms can call for aspecific duration of exertion of pressure on the patient's body, or aspecific duration of no exertion of pressure on the patient's body, orboth. In some cases, the compression plate 406 can have an adjustablediameter and/or firmness and the control algorithm can call for changesin the plate diameter and/or firmness over the course of administrationof CPR. In cases where the control algorithm calls for the compressionpiston to operate at a desired force, changing the diameter of thecompression plate can produce corresponding changes in the pressureexerted against the patient's chest.

In some cases, the stiffness of a patient's chest can change over thecourse of treatment with CPR (due, e.g., to fluid movement in thepatient's body, breaking of ribs, and/or general changes in thecompliance of the patient's tissues). Thus, over the course of theadministration of CPR, the force exerted by the piston can be decreasedto avoid causing excessive damage, or the depth of compressions can beincreased, to maintain constant forces being imparted to the patient'sbody.

Data Acquisition Unit

A data acquisition unit can sample signals indicative of one or morephysiological parameters of a patient and store the signals for analysisby a CPR control algorithm. A general data acquisition unit can acquireany digital or analog signal as a time series of data points, includingbut not limited to electrocardiography (ECG) signals, expired CO₂, SpO₂,StO₂, blood pressure (for example, mean arterial pressure or meanperipleural pressure as measured by a blood pressure cuff, invasivepressure transducer, or artery waveform by noninvasive tonometry), bloodflow (as measured, e.g., by Doppler blood flow detection or ultrasound),tissue oxygen saturation (e.g., pulse oximetry or cerebral tissueoxygenation), temperature, patient chest stiffness,electroencephalography (EEG) signals, quantitative measures of an ECGventricular fibrillation waveform (e.g., amplitude spectrum area (AMSA),median slope (MS), logarithm of autocorrelation (LAC), or scalingexponent (ScE), described further below), thoracic impedance, pupillaryresponsiveness, peripheral pulse wave dynamics, or coronary arteryperfusion pressure (CPP), blood volume, blood constituent levels,endogenous endocrine or paracrine chemical signals, cellular ormitochondrial energetics and/or function, and the CRP providers spatial,anatomic, or psychological state, as well as any other measures derivedtherefrom (e.g., a rate of change, mean value, absolute value, integral,frequency, or spectral analysis of those just listed).

In some embodiments, a patient's blood volume can be estimated byintroducing dye into the circulation and the concentration of the dyecan be measured, such as by optical lasers, to estimate blood volume.Using the patient's blood volume as a parameter for controlling thechest compression device can be particularly useful when the system isused for trauma resuscitation.

In some embodiments, the patient's blood constituent levels, such aslevels of electrolytes, leukocytes, antibodies, etc., can be assayed andused as a parameter for controlling the chest compression device. Forexample, an assay of red blood cells can be used to adjust the chestcompressions or other system functions to account for anemia.

In some embodiments, the patient's endogenous endocrine or paracrinechemical signals can be measured. For example, endogenous hormones,catecholamines, etc., can be assayed. Also, an assay of circulatingendogenous pressor molecules, such as adrenaline, could feed into analgorithm accounting for expected vascular tone.

In some embodiments, the patient's metabolism, energy stores, cellularor mitochondrial energetics and/or function can be measured. Signalsrelated to such measures can indicate physiologic response or viabilityduring CPR.

In some embodiment, a CPR provider's spatial, anatomic, or psychologicalstate can be monitored. For example, the provider's skin galvanics, limbacceleration, or proximity to the compressor can be measured and used asfeedback to the system.

Signals can be acquired secondarily through other devices connected tothe patient or directly from sensors attached to the acquisition unit(e.g., pressures can be measured using pressure transducers coupled tothe acquisition unit). The signals can characterize the vital state ofthe patient as a function of the blood flow produced by the device.During complete cardiac arrest, blood flow is suspended due to thecessation or lack of organization of mechanical activity of the heart.Positive effects of CPR can therefore detectable as changes inbiosignals that reflect the activity of systems that are receiving bloodflow. Since mechanical activity of the heart has ceased or isdisorganized, automated chest compressions can be performed withoutcoordinating the chest compressions based on contractions andrelaxations of the heart or other residual mechanical activity of theheart, but instead based on other biometrical parameters.

The systems described herein can actively record each of the physiologicsignals of interest and organize them to be displayed in a userinterface that can be placed near the compression device and patient.The user interface can be capable of tracking the histories of CPR depthand CPR rate and adjustments made thereto, as well as the physiologicsignals being recorded. The systems described herein can be configuredto collect all signals in a single Matlab™ application for analysis sothey can be combined, compared or otherwise analyzed in concert with oneanother in various ways.

CPR Control Algorithms

In general, suitable CPR control algorithms receive incoming signals(with or without preprocessing) as inputs, and then modulate theperformance parameters of the compression piston (e.g., rate and/ordepth of compressions) according to a preset strategy (i.e., thealgorithm). In one embodiment, the algorithm can be embodied by aninterchangeable series of preset strategies. As one simple example(referred to herein as a “threshold algorithm”), while mean centralarterial pressure is below a predefined threshold (e.g., as designatedby a physician), the device increases chest compression rate and chestcompression depth incrementally at fixed time intervals until thedesired pressure threshold has been achieved. A similar algorithm cancontinue to increase compression rate and compression depth untilcentral arterial pressure stops rising in response to increases incompression rate and compression depth. In various embodiments, chestcompression rate, chest compression depth, or other CPR performanceparameters can be either increased or decreased, as indicated by thepatient's condition and the specific control algorithm used.

Any one of various suitable feedback algorithms can be selected (e.g.,by a physician based on the patient's condition) prior to the initiationof CPR. In addition to the threshold algorithm described above, a“matching algorithm” can be used to match certain physiologic parameters(e.g., pressures, tissue saturations, etc.) to various compression ratesand compression depths based on historic data or previous responses ofphysiological signals to depth and rate changes. Such an algorithm canreflect the knowledge of vast amounts of historic data collected overtime. Such an algorithm can be tailored to the patient's weight and/orchest size, e.g., by initially using a compression depth and/or acompression rate that have historically produced beneficial responses insimilar patients.

In some cases, a control algorithm can call for increases in compressiondepth and/or compression rate until a desired increase in aphysiological parameter is observed. For example, a control algorithmcan call for increases in compression depth and compression rate untilmean central arterial pressure (or coronary perfusion pressure) hasincreased by 1 mmHg, by 2 mmHg, by 5 mmHg, by 10 mmHg, by 15 mmHg, or byany other suitable pressure. As another example, a control algorithm cancall for increases in compression depth and compression rate until meancentral arterial pressure (or coronary perfusion pressure) has increasedby 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 50%, or by any other suitableamount.

In some cases, a control algorithm can call for the variation of a firstparameter (e.g., by either gradual increase or gradual decrease ofcompression depth) until a first optimal value is found, and thenmaintenance of the first parameter at its optimal value while a secondparameter is varied (e.g., by either gradual increase or gradualdecrease of compression rate) until a second optimal value is found, andthen maintenance of CPR with the first and second parameters at therespective optimal values. In some cases, a control algorithm can callfor the termination of automated CPR when one or more measuredparameters indicate the patient is suitable for defibrillation, or whenone or more measured parameters indicate the patient is unlikely torecover to such a condition, or when a pulse is measured in the patient(e.g., through the use of any one of various suitable devices, and asone example, through the use of an ultrasound device).

In some cases, physical characteristics of a patient (e.g., height,weight, or chest diameter) are measured and provided to a controlalgorithm during or prior to initiation of CPR. The control algorithmcan determine chest compression parameters based on this information(e.g., based on collections of historic data associating such physicalcharacteristics with advantageous chest compression performanceparameters). In some cases, the size of the compression plate used canbe selected based on the chest diameter of the patient. In some cases, acontrol algorithm can be provided with additional input regarding thepatient's condition (e.g., whether the patient is suffering fromtraumatic cardiac arrest or severe hypotension, or whether the patientis especially frail or undergoing concurrent surgical manipulations(e.g., pre-ECMO)), and can optimize the performance parameters based onthis information.

A control algorithm can change over the course of the administration ofCPR, e.g., to reflect the different stages of cardiac arrest, namelyelectrical, circulatory, and metabolic. For example, for a patient foundto be in the electrical stage of resuscitation, an algorithm can callfor the compression piston to work quickly (e.g., at a high compressionrate) to provide increased perfusion to the patient beforedefibrillation is used. For a patient found to be in the circulatorystage of resuscitation, an algorithm can be designed to increase bloodflow and/or pressure, in order to help the organs (e.g., the brain)recover from any oxygen deprivation. For a patient found to be in themetabolic stage of resuscitation, an algorithm can be designed tostabilize the patient so he or she can be transported to a medicalfacility to receive more advanced treatment (e.g., percutaneous coronaryinterventions (PCI) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy(ECMO)).

Ventilation Control/Guidance

An automated CPR system can also include a ventilation control orguidance unit to provide or guide ventilation of the patient accordingto strategies incorporated into a CPR algorithm. Ventilations can beadministered to the patient in order to help oxygenate the blood andremove expired carbon dioxide. Complex CPR control algorithms canincorporate ventilation rate, pressure, and volume parameter adjustmentsto reduce acidosis detected through analysis of expired carbon dioxideor oxygen saturation signals. Ventilation rates, pressures, and volumescan also be adjusted to meet levels complementary to the depth and/orrate of CPR compressions (e.g., the ventilation parameters ofventilation rate and ventilation volume can be synchronized with thecompression rate and/or the compression depth). The ventilation unit caninclude an air pump with an air mix chamber that interfaces with apatient airway adjunct. The ventilation unit can also include a visualor audible readout (i.e. guide) that helps to coordinate a healthcareprovider's behavior with the CPR control algorithm's designatedventilation strategy (e.g., in situations where a person is manuallyperforming the ventilation).

Drug Administration/Guidance

An automated CPR system can also include a drug administration controlor guidance unit to provide or guide the provision of drugs to thepatient according to strategies incorporated into a CPR algorithm. Drugs(e.g., epinephrine) can be administered to a patient duringresuscitation in order to increase blood flow generated by CPR,favorably modify the electrical properties of the heart, and/or correctmetabolic acidosis. Complex CPR control algorithms can incorporateautomatic drug administration via an infusion pump or other custom drugdelivery apparatus when deemed appropriate (e.g., by a physician basedon the patient's condition). The device can also signal a health careprovider to administer a drug according to a drug administrationstrategy incorporated in a CPR control algorithm (e.g., in situationswhere a person is manually administering the drugs to the patient).

Automated CPR Prior to Defibrillation

Electrical defibrillation is an established intervention for treatingcardiac arrest, but research has shown that the effectiveness ofdefibrillation decreases rapidly as the duration of cardiac arrestincreases. Research has also shown that pretreatment of a patient incardiac arrest prior to defibrillation can improve the effectiveness ofthe defibrillation (e.g., it can improve the chances of ROSC), and thatthe improvements increase as the duration of cardiac arrest increases.In some embodiments, systems, devices, and methods described herein canbe used in an independent manner, such as to perform CPR on a patientuntil native heart function returns spontaneously (until ROSC). In otherembodiments, systems, devices, and methods described herein can be usedas pretreatment for a patient in advance of defibrillation, as a way toimprove its effectiveness.

Research has also shown that the chances of success of defibrillationcan depend on certain physiologic parameters of the patient in cardiacarrest. Thus, in cases where automated CPR is performed as apretreatment prior to defibrillation, it can be useful to providealgorithms that will monitor such parameters, and in some casesdiscontinue automated CPR and/or alert a physician that these parametersare within a range suitable for initiating defibrillation.

For example, research has shown that the scaling exponent (ScE) of theventricular fibrillation waveform (a measure known in the art which isunderstood to increase with duration of ventricular fibrillation) canprovide an indication of suitability of a patient for defibrillation. Atleast one study has concluded that for patients with an ScE less than orequal to 1.20, immediate defibrillation with no pretreatment may be aneffective treatment, but for patients with an ScE greater than or equalto 1.3, pretreatment such as CPR prior to defibrillation may be a moreeffective treatment. Thus, algorithms as described herein can take asinput a measure of a patient's ScE and can continue automated CPR untila ScE in the range of 1.2-1.3 is reached, at which point the automatedCPR system can terminate CPR and/or alert a physician thatdefibrillation may be desirable.

Another example is the logarithm of the absolute correlations (“LAC”) ofthe ECG waveform, as presented in a paper titled “Logarithm of theabsolute correlations of the ECG waveform estimates duration ofventricular fibrillation and predicts successful defibrillation,” (whichalso discusses the ScE measure) published in the journal Resuscitation,volume 78, pages 346-354 (2008), which is incorporated by referenceherein. Similar to the use of the ScE measure described above,algorithms as used herein can take as input a measure of a patient's LACand can continue automated CPR until an LAC in a predetermined range isachieved, at which point the automated CPR system can terminate CPRand/or alert a physician that defibrillation may be desirable.

As another example, research has shown that coronary perfusion pressure(CPP) can provide an indication of the chances of ROSC withdefibrillation. At least one study has concluded that patients with ahigher CPP are more likely to experience ROSC upon defibrillation. Thus,algorithms as used herein can take as input a measure of a patient's CPPand can continue automated CPR until a CPP in a desired range isreached, at which point the automated CPR system can terminate CPRand/or alert a physician that defibrillation may be desirable. In somecases, the desired range can be 15 mmHg. In some cases, the desiredrange can be from 15-25 mmHg. In some cases, the desired range can befrom 20-25 mmHg. In some cases, the desired range can be 35-40 mmHg.Various other ranges or related measures can be used, e.g., asdetermined by a physician based on a patient's condition.

Various other measures of physiologic parameters can be used, togetherwith corresponding predetermined ranges indicating the patient issuitable for defibrillation. Exemplary measures include, for example,mean CPP, cumulative dose CPP, percent recovery of amplitude spectrumarea (AMSA), percent recovery of median slope (MS), and percent recoveryof LAC, as presented, for example, in a paper titled “Correlationbetween coronary perfusion pressure and quantitative ECG waveformmeasures during resuscitation of prolonged ventricular fibrillation,”published in the journal Resuscitation, volume 83, pages 1497-1502(2012).

Exemplary Methods, Tests and Results

Preliminary tests of the devices, systems, and methods described hereinhave been conducted using a swine model of cardiac arrest. IACUCapproved experiments were conducted, in which swine were anesthetized,surgically instrumented with pressure sensors, and electrically inducedinto cardiac arrest, followed by eight minutes of no treatment tosimulate an out-of-hospital patient condition. One pressure sensor wassituated in the aorta, and another was situated in the right atrium.Coronary perfusion pressure can be calculated as the difference betweenthe two. Central arterial pressure corresponds to the pressure measuredin the aorta, and is presented in the results shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

An automated CPR system initiated chest compressions following analgorithm calling for an initially low compression rate and an initiallylow compression depth, with gradual increases to both parameters until adesired central arterial pressure is met. More specifically, thealgorithm called for an initial compression depth of 1.4 inches and aninitial compression rate of 105 compressions per minute (CPM). Thealgorithm called for an increase in compression rate of 5 CPM every 20compressions. When 100 total compressions had been performed, the ratewas not increased by 5 CPM. When 120 total compressions had beenperformed, the algorithm called for the rate to be decreased to 100 CPMand the depth to be increased by 0.2 inches. When 300 total compressionshad been performed, the rate was not increased by 5 CPM. When 320 totalcompressions had been performed, the algorithm called for the rate to bedecreased to 100 CPM and the depth to be increased by another 0.2inches, to 1.8 inches.

As shown in FIG. 6, the data illustrates that central arterial pressureincreased significantly after the compression depth was increased to 1.8inches and as the compression rate was increased. Systolic and diastolicvalues increased producing an increase in the mean central arterialpressure. The pressure data is shown in greater detail in FIG. 7. Afterthe central arterial pressure increased significantly, the algorithmcalled for the compression rate and compression depth to be held steady.Increased central arterial pressure is desirable for patients in cardiacarrest as it can signify increased blood perfusion and thus increasedoxygen to vital organs. Other algorithm(s) and physiologic signal(s) areeffective in achieving the desired physiologic response to automated CPRand can be used.

The data shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate that the systems and methodsdescribed herein can improve hemodynamics (e.g., central arterialpressure) in a patient suffering from cardiac arrest. Such improvementscan increase chances of both ROSC and SHD. When used with humanpatients, similar compression algorithms can be used. As illustrated inFIG. 6, one such algorithm begins at an initial low compression rate andlow compression depth, increasing the compression rate incrementallyuntil a predetermined maximum rate is reached (e.g., 125 CPM), at whichpoint the compression depth is then increased and the compression rateis reset to the initial low compression rate. These steps can berepeated until desired changes in physiologic parameters are detected,such as the increase in central arterial pressure show at the right ofFIG. 7. In the illustrated example, an optimal pressure is achieved witha compression depth of 1.8 inches and a compression rate of 110 CPM.

FIG. 8 shows data from an exemplary swine cardiac arrest model wherephysiologic pulse oximetry (SpO₂) responded to changes in compressionrate. The onset of CPR begins at the far left of FIG. 8. Chestcompression rate (right vertical axis) is gradually increased whilecompression depth is kept constant until a favorable, increasingresponse is observed in the pulse oximetry signal, shown as oxygensaturation % on the left vertical axis. A pulse oximetry or oxygensaturation percentage threshold can be set, such as a predeterminedpercentage or a predetermined increase in percentage, and once thatthreshold is met, the compression rate adjustments can stop and/or thecompression rate can decrease. This method is an example of an algorithmapproach where one CPR parameter is dependent on one physiologic signaland alterations are made using a threshold-based algorithm.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate exemplary methods in which chest compressiondepth and chest compression rate are adjusted until two differentphysiologic thresholds are met. In the methods illustrated in FIGS. 9and 10, chest compression depth can be adjusted (e.g., increased inincrements) until a central arterial pressure threshold, or otherphysiologic threshold (“physiologic threshold 1”), is met, signaling apositive response to compression depth change, and chest compressionrate can be adjusted (e.g., increased in increments) until aquantitative ECG parameter threshold, or other physiologic threshold(“physiologic threshold 2”), is met, signaling a positive response tocompression rate change. The adjustments to compression rate can beperformed after the adjustments to compression depth are performed, asillustrated. For example, adjustments in depth can stop beforeadjustments in rate begin, or vice versa. In other methods, theadjustments to rate and depth can overlap or occur at the same time.FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an example of a general methodology whereinmultiple physiologic signals are utilized in order to drive multipleadjustments in CPR performance. In the example of FIGS. 9 and 10, twophysiologic signals are monitored and analyzed at the same time, anddepth and rate are adjusted in response to the two signals. p FIG. 11illustrates a method wherein two different chest compression parameters(e.g., rate and depth) are adjusted over time (see the lower graph)until one of two biosignal thresholds (e.g., one threshold for aorticpressure and one threshold for median slope of ventricular fibrillationwaveform) are met (as shown in the upper graph). In FIG. 11, CPR beginsat Time=0. The compression depth and compression rate are graduallyadjusted (increased) over time during CPR until either aortic pressurereaches 50 mmHg or median slope reaches 35. As illustrated in the lowergraph of FIG. 11, compression depth increases to a maximum of about twoinches after about 100 seconds and then is held steady, whilecompression rate increases from about 100 CPM to about 130 CPM afterabout 180 seconds and then is held steady. As shown in the upper graphof FIG. 11, the result of these adjustments to compression depth andrate is that aortic pressure and median slope gradually increase overtime until median slope meets the threshold of 35. Once the median slopethreshold is met, compression rate adjustment stops and the rate is heldsteady. In such a method, the achievement of either one of two biometricthresholds can indicate that an optimal, desired, and/or sufficientcombination of compression depth and compression rate has been achieved.

Any algorithms and/or methods disclosed herein may be performed using orwith software, computing hardware, and/or firmware, such as can bestored or included in a computer processing device, volatile ornon-volatile memory, and/or computer readable media, which can includenon-transitory, tangible, non-propagating, and/or other types ofcomputer readable media.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principlesdisclosed herein may be applied, it should be recognized that theillustrated embodiments are only preferred examples and should not betaken as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Rather, the scope of thedisclosure is at least as broad as the following claims. We thereforeclaim all that comes within the scope and spirit of these claims.

1. A cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) system comprising: a computingsystem comprising a control algorithm, the computing system beingcapable of executing the control algorithm, wherein the computing systemis operable to receive an input signal comprising input data andtransmit an output signal comprising output data, wherein the controlalgorithm determines the output data based on the input data; a dataacquisition system including a sensor operable to measure aphysiological parameter of a patient in cardiac arrest, the dataacquisition system being operable to transmitting the input signalcomprising the input data to the computing system, wherein the inputdata includes an indication of the physiological parameter of a patientduring cardiac arrest; and an automated compression piston systemincluding an actuator operable to perform automated chest compressionson the patient and capable of automatically adjusting the depth of thechest compressions, the piston system being operable to receive theoutput signal comprising the output data from the computing system,wherein the output data includes a parameter specifying adjustment ofthe depth of the chest compressions performed by the piston system basedon the measured physiological parameter; wherein the computing system isconfigured to gradually increase the depth of chest compressionsadministered by the compression piston system to a patient over timeuntil a predetermined threshold value for the physiological parameter ofthe patient is measured by the sensor.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe system is configured to perform the automated chest compressionswithout coordinating the chest compressions based on contractions andrelaxations of the heart or other residual mechanical activity of theheart.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a patientventilation control system in signal communication with the computingsystem and operable to perform patient ventilation based on output datafrom the computing system, wherein the output data further includes aparameter specifying desired action of the patient ventilation controlsystem, and wherein the desired action of the piston system issynchronized with the desired action of the patient ventilation controlsystem.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a drugadministration system in signal communication with the computing systemand operable to perform drug administration to the patient based onoutput data from the computing system.
 5. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a defibrillator in signal communication with the computingsystem and operable to perform defibrillation on the patient based onoutput data from the computing system.
 6. The system of claim 5, whereinthe physiological parameter of the patient indicates whether the patientis suitable for defibrillation.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein thepiston system is in signal communication with a defibrillator monitorand capable of exchanging data with the defibrillator monitor.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the physiological parameter is acardiopulmonary parameter.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein thephysiological parameter is a neurological parameter.
 10. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the physiological parameter includes one or more of thefollowing parameters: the patient's electrocardiography signal; thepatient's electroencephalography signal; the patient's expired CO₂; thepatient's SpO₂; the patient's StO₂; the patient's blood pressure; thepatient's blood flow; the patient's tissue oxygen saturation; thepatient's cerebral tissue oxygenation; the patient's temperature; thepatient's chest stiffness; the patient's thoracic impedance; thepatient's pupillary responsiveness; the patient's peripheral pulse wavedynamics; the patient's ventricular fibrillation waveform; the patient'scoronary artery perfusion pressure; the patient's blood volume; thepatient's blood constituent levels; the patient's endogenous endocrineor paracrine chemical signals; and the patient's cellular ormitochondrial energetics or function.
 11. The system of claim 1, whereinthe system is capable of detecting one or more conditions of the patientthat indicates that the patient has a pulse, and determining whetherautomated chest compressions from the piston system should cease basedon the detected one or more conditions.
 12. A method of treating apatient in complete cardiac arrest, comprising: taking a firstmeasurement of a physiological parameter of the patient in completecardiac arrest; using a control algorithm to determine an initial CPRperformance parameter based on the first measurement; performing CPR onthe patient in complete cardiac arrest in accordance with the initialCPR performance parameter; taking a second measurement of thephysiological parameter of the patient to determine the extent of changeof the physiological parameter in response to the performance of CPR;using the control algorithm to determine an updated CPR performanceparameter based on the second measurement; and performing CPR on thepatient in accordance with the updated CPR performance parameter. 13.The method of claim 12, further comprising comparing the secondmeasurement of the physiological parameter to a predetermined range ofreference values for the physiological parameter.
 14. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising: determining that the second measurement ofthe physiological parameter is within the predetermined range ofreference values for the physiological parameter; and defibrillating thepatient.
 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising: detecting oneor more conditions of the patient that indicate that the patient has apulse; and determining whether chest compressions on the patient shouldcease based on the one or more conditions of the patient that indicatethat the patient has a pulse.
 16. A method of treating a patient incardiac arrest, comprising: increasing depth of chest compressionsadministered to the patient over time until a first physiologicalparameter threshold of the patient is met, and then maintaining constantchest compression depth; and increasing a rate of chest compressionsadministered to the patient over time until a second physiologicalparameter threshold of the patient is met, and then maintaining constantchest compression rate.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the depthand rate of the chest compressions is controlled by an automated chestcompression device in communication with a control system that monitorsthe first physiological parameter of the patient and the secondphysiological parameter of the patient.
 18. The method of claim 16,wherein the first physiological parameter is central arterial pressureof the patient.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the secondphysiological parameter is a quantitative ECG parameter of the patient.20. The method of claim 16, wherein the increasing of the rate of chestcompressions is performed after the increasing of the depth of chestcompressions is performed.